What did you learn today?

The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies,
can continue growing as we continue to live.
~Mortimer Adler~

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.

~Clay P. Bedford~

***

Day six of giveaway. See details here.

Forgive and forget?

"There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love."
~Bryant H. McGill~

***

"To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love.

In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness."
~Robert Muller~

Day five of giveaway. See details here.

Snapshot or photograph?

"Beauty can be seen in all things,

seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph."
~Matt Hardy~

Hmmm... does that make these snapshots or photographs?

***

Day four of giveaway. See details here.

Which creature are you?

“From the oyster to the eagle, from the swine to the tiger, all animals are to be found in men and each of them exists in some man, sometimes several at the time.

Animals are nothing but the portrayal of our virtues and vices made manifest to our eyes,

the visible reflections of our souls. ”
~Victor Hugo~

What creature resides in you today?

***

Day three of giveaway. See details here.

***

Yes, it's grey skies and unpredictable weather,

but it has been an eventful start to the week long trip

and I will have pictures up here soon.

Taking the time to fit in some fun

together with the work while I am over here.

Grow

"Growth begins when we begin to accept our own weakness."
~Jean Vanier~

***

Day two of giveaway. See details here.

The best medicine

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."
~e e cummings~

What made you laugh today?

***

Day of giveaway. See details here.

Grey skies... and a giveaway!

Maybe the constant rain

and gloomy grey skies

these last few days

is nature's dress rehearsal

for what is in store for me

next week?

Tomorrow,

I fly to the land

notorious for its wet weather

and grey skies galore.

After what we've had this past week,

I should be well prepared, I should think!

And that brings me to a giveaway. My first! For the next week, starting tomorrow, anyone who leaves a comment on any of my posts between 25th September - 1st October goes into a draw to win two prints of your choice from any of the posts during that duration. I will announce the winner on the 3rd of October, so the giveaway will remain open until midnight of 2nd October, GMT. Each comment you make will count as separate entry. But please make sure that there is a way of contacting you (blog link or email is fine).

It's raining, it's pouring

It seems to have been raining for days now.

Some areas are fully flooded.

Waiting for sunny days and blue skies.

How are you?

Wanting to just be

Things have been so rushed lately

that I would love the opportunity

to lie back on a secluded beach
on an island in the middle of nowhere

and just be...

... doing nothing except enjoy the peace and nature around me.

This is after all the one place on earth that boasts of having perfected

the art of doing nothing.

Anyone care to join me?

To hell and back

On my visit to a different part of the country this week,

I was told that there was a swamp on the island

that was locally known as Naraka,

which literally translates as Hell.

This is the road to Hell.

Not too unpleasant, huh?

And this, is Naraka.

The name was given because

the swamp is deep, dark and mysterious.

Locals tell me that they have been unable to measure the depth of the water

~although they cannot tell me who or when this was actually attempted~

But it makes for a pleasant walk through the woods

and apparently a popular swimming spot.

Wordless

:(

Away from home for two days,

I am missing my loves.

Long hours spent in schools,

meeting with students, teachers and parents,

asking their views on what they want to see changed.

And Blogger is giving me grief,

as I am for some reason

unable to comment on any other blogs today.

Maybe I am just too tired.

Joy

Joy.

The smile in my heart

as I play with my little loves

and

watch the sunrise

spreading its warm golden glow

into a new day.

Joy.

The warmth in my being

when I see his smile

and we share stories from our day

and laugh away the worries

in the comfort

of our togetherness.

Joy.

In us. In me. In you.

“Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”
~Mother Teresa~

Party time

It started off wet.

But there was food to keep them occupied,

until the rain let up.

Then it was plenty of fun outside

and many rides to go on.

Until it was time for cake to be shared.

It turned out to be a good,

~and yes, very noisy~

celebration.

What happened to inclusivity?

One of the best things about my job

are the many opportunities to go into classrooms

and observe children and young people engaged in learning.

To see the delight and amazement on their faces

as they explore the world around them.

Each child is different,

yet so full of promise.

So it breaks my heart

and makes me fume

when I hear conversations
like the one I did this morning

between two educators.

It went something like this:

A: Adham has been sitting in a corner by himself for a long time. Why don't we get him to come and join the others here to work on the puzzle?

B: Oh he's a special needs case.

A: Shall we ask him to come over?

B: No. He is autistic. He sits on his own most of the time.

A: Have you tried to encourage him to join the others?

B: No, because he is autistic.

A mouse in the house?

After two previous attempts at keeping pets,

Em and Hero have been asking for a new pet.

I am not against allowing them to have one to care for,

but I am not sure if our home is suitable

for another inhabitant.

Certainly not a mouse,

like Em wants.

Maybe I should suggest a pet rock ;)

Comfort

Pot roasted beef, crunchy roasted potato wedges and a spinach, sundried tomato & olive salad.

A good home cooked, balanced meal.

Pure comfort food.

What are among your favourite comfort foods?

***

Please also check out other intepretations of this week's theme

for

sunday creative,

"comfort."

Don't give up on your dreams

Dreams do come true,

as it did for Susan Boyle.
Don't you just love her singing?

Fun on wheels

An afternoon of playing on wheels.

Pushing along on three wheels

or more.

Getting pointers from the older and wiser

before taking off at full speed.

More wheels - a remote control car.

But then, sometimes you need to just take a break from it all

and either climb

or just sit back and watch,

enjoying being outside on a beautiful day.